Changes and Crises in the Mediterranean Sea: Current problems

As a contribution to the World Environment Day 2017, the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei promoted the meeting “Changes and Crises in the Mediterranean Sea” devoted to the effects of climate change and human impact on the Mediterranean ecosystems and biodiversity. Here is presented a selection of papers given at the meeting held in Rome, on October 17, 2017. Studies deal with structural changes in the marine communities, the impact of thermal stress, acidification, pollution and fishing activities on benthic communities, and on deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems. Understanding human impact on the Mediterranean Sea is the first step to manage and protect marine environments in a sustainable way

Design and characterization of small thermoelectric generators for environmental monitoring devices

A small thermoelectric generator to power autonomous sensors in remote environmental sites is studied, designed, realized, characterized, and tested. The thermoelectric phenomena, applied to our device, are theoretically introduced and experimentally verified by directly measuring the physical quantities when the thermoelectric generator operates in working conditions. The device is then tested under different external conditions, showing that it is able to supply, for sufficient long time, an output voltage higher than 200 mV and an output power on the order of 10 mW when a temperature difference higher than 10 K and a load resistance close to the internal resistance are considered. Furthermore we developed a devoted power conditioning circuit in order to usefully manage the output voltage. Finally, we tested the device in real operative conditions

Epidemiology of parasitic gastroenteritis of sheep in temperate and warm areas in Argentina

Se presenta una discusión sobre epidemiología del parasitismo gastrointestinal de lanares con especial énfasis en la problemática de áreas templadas. Se revisa la información disponible en la Argentina y Uruguay, discutiendo situaciones sobre las que no se dispone de datos experimentales. Además se analiza el problema de la resistencia a antihelmínticos con vistas al manejo integrado del parasitismo como alternativa.The paper discusses epidemiological aspects of gastrointestinal parasitism, particularly in temperate areas, and reviews available information on real situations of Argentina and Uruguay. In addition some aspects of drug resistance are discussed pointing out the use of integrated management systems as an alternative measure to control parasitism.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Epidemiology of parasitic gastroenteritis of sheep in temperate and warm areas in Argentina

Se presenta una discusión sobre epidemiología del parasitismo gastrointestinal de lanares con especial énfasis en la problemática de áreas templadas. Se revisa la información disponible en la Argentina y Uruguay, discutiendo situaciones sobre las que no se dispone de datos experimentales. Además se analiza el problema de la resistencia a antihelmínticos con vistas al manejo integrado del parasitismo como alternativa.The paper discusses epidemiological aspects of gastrointestinal parasitism, particularly in temperate areas, and reviews available information on real situations of Argentina and Uruguay. In addition some aspects of drug resistance are discussed pointing out the use of integrated management systems as an alternative measure to control parasitism.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

NMR spectroscopy of single sub-nL ova with inductive ultra-compact single-chip probes

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enables non-invasive chemical studies of intact living matter. However, the use of NMR at the volume scale typical of microorganisms is hindered by sensitivity limitations, and experiments on single intact organisms have so far been limited to entities having volumes larger than 5 nL. Here we show NMR spectroscopy experiments conducted on single intact ova of 0.1 and 0.5 nL (i.e. 10 to 50 times smaller than previously achieved), thereby reaching the relevant volume scale where life development begins for a broad variety of organisms, humans included. Performing experiments with inductive ultra-compact (1 mm2) single-chip NMR probes, consisting of a low noise transceiver and a multilayer 150 μm planar microcoil, we demonstrate that the achieved limit of detection (about 5 pmol of 1H nuclei) is sufficient to detect endogenous compounds. Our findings suggest that single-chip probes are promising candidates to enable NMR-based study and selection of microscopic entities at biologically relevant volume scales

310 A new proposal for the clinical classification of vulvar lichen sclerosus: an observational prospective study

Introduction/Background Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder which commonly affects the female anogenital epithelium, leading to scarring, anatomical distortions, impaired sexual function, decreased quality of life and increased vulvar cancer risk. An agreement to measure VLS severity in a standard way is yet to be defined and, to our knowledge, no standardized clinical classification of anatomical modifications in VLS has been validated. The purpose of this study was to prepare a clinical classification for VLS aimed at defining the morphological patterns of this condition, while stratifying them into grades. The classification is intended to provide a homogeneous and reproducible description of the different features of this disease. It also serves as an important tool for the evaluation of the course of the disease over time, response to treatment, and for comparison of clinical studies. Methodology A board of seven specialists with expertise in vulvar pathology were asked to outline the anatomical criteria for the definition of VLS severity (phimosis of the clitoris, resorption of the labia minora, involvement of the inter-labial sulcus, and narrowing of the vulvar introitus), identifying five grades to be used to build-up of a score model. The classification was validated by 13 physicians upon pictures of 137 consecutive patients. Each physician individually assigned a grade to each case, according to the abovementioned criteria. Inter-rater agreement among evaluators was analysed by means of ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient). Intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer concordance in vivo were analysed by means of Kappa index. Results This study provides a new classification of VLS, based on defined anatomical criteria and graded into mutually exclusive progressive classes (table 1). The ICC analysis showed a substantial agreement in the attribution of the grade of VLS among the 137 cases, ICC=0,89 (0.87–0.91), both in the expert and in the non-expert group (ICC=0.92 and 0.87 respectively). An 'almost perfect' agreement was achieved for intra-observer reproducibility and among physicians in vivo (Kappa 0.93). Conclusion Our classification showed a high accuracy in defining morphological modifications in VLS. It is easy to use, reproducible, and can be applied by different health care providers in daily clinical practice and in all clinical settings. Disclosure Nothing to disclose

Quality of residential facilities in Italy: satisfaction and quality of life of residents with schizophrenia spectrum~disorders

Background Recovery and human rights promotion for people with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) is fundamental to provide good care in Residential Facilities (RFs). However, there is a concern about rehabilitation ethos in RFs. This study aimed to investigate the care quality of Italian RFs, the quality of life (QoL) and care experience of residents with SSD. Methods Fourty-eight RFs were assessed using a quality assessment tool (QuIRC-SA) and 161 residents with SSD were enrolled. Seventeen RFs provided high intensity rehabilitation (SRP1), 15 medium intensity (SRP2), and 16 medium-low level support (SRP3). Staff-rated tools measured psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning; user-rated tools assessed QoL and satisfaction with services. RFs comparisons were made using ANOVA and Chi-squared. Results Over two-thirds patients (41.5 y.o., SD 9.7) were male. Seventy-six were recruited from SRP1 services, 48 from SRP2, and 27 from SRP3. The lowest QuIRC-SA scoring was Recovery Based Practice (45.8%), and the highest was promotion of Human Rights (58.4%). SRP2 had the lowest QuIRC-SA ratings and SRP3 the highest. Residents had similar psychopathology (p = 0.140) and functioning (p = 0.537). SRP3 residents were more employed (18.9%) than SRP1 (7.9%) or SRP2 (2.2%) ones, and had less severe negative symptoms (p = 0.016) and better QoL (p = 0.020) than SRP2 residents. There were no differences in the RF therapeutic milieu and their satisfaction with care. Conclusions Residents of the lowest supported RFs in Italy had less severe negative symptoms, better QoL and more employment than others. The lowest ratings for Recovery Based Practice across all RFs suggest more work is needed to improve recovery

Red de maíz de primera de la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) INTA Oliveros y sus Agencias de Extensión Rural (AER). Campaña 2021-22.

Las redes de evaluación de híbridos generan valiosa información que permiten mejorar la toma de decisiones en cuanto a la genética a utilizar, tanto en rendimiento, estabilidad y comportamiento agronómico. A tal fin, la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria del INTA Oliveros y sus Agencias de Extensión realizan anualmente en forma conjunta una Red de evaluación de híbridos comerciales de maíz. Un mismo set de híbridos propuesto por los semilleros participantes es evaluado en macroparcelas en campos de productores y en microparcelas tanto en la Experimental de Oliveros como en establecimientos particulares.EEA OliverosFil: Ferraguti, Facundo Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Magnano, Luciana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Sanmarti, Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Widmer, Thomas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Venado Tuerto; ArgentinaFil: Vita Larrieu, Eduardo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Máximo Paz; ArgentinaFil: Palu, Estefania Maria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Máximo Paz; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Gabriel Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; ArgentinaFil: Loto, Ariel Roberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; ArgentinaFil: Ibarlucea, Juan Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Roldán; ArgentinaFil: Capurro, Julia Ester. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Cañada de Gómez; ArgentinaFil: Casasola Farre, Erica Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Casilda; ArgentinaFil: Pagani, Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Las Rosas; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Leandro Ruben. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Galvez; ArgentinaFil: Malmantile, Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Venado Tuerto; Argentin